Columbia Gas Co. plans on repairing all reported gas leaks in North Dighton neighborhoods within the next few weeks and wants to reassure the public that their safety is not in jeopardy.

Jeffrey D. Wagner

Columbia Gas Co. plans on repairing all reported gas leaks in North Dighton neighborhoods within the next few weeks and wants to reassure the public that their safety is not in jeopardy.

Company President Steve Bryant and a handful of other company representatives met with selectmen on Wednesday to address the issue.

When prompted by Selectmen Chairman Dean Cronin, Bryant said, “We do not have a situation of public safety but we have a situation of public confidence.”

He said Columbia Gas has strict guidelines for identifying and repairing leaks, and have concluded that none of the leaks is in danger of causing an explosion or fire.

Fire Chief Antone Roderick Jr. said he and the company president have been in regular contact about the issue. He described the president as responsive and applauded the fact that meters will be provided to the Fire Department so it can detect leaks.

Cronin said he has fielded several calls from residents who live on Mount Hope Street, Gray Terrace, Lou Lane, School Street and Forest Street.

Cronin also has said residents are apprehensive about the smell and have expressed fear of an explosion, which can happen if a leak is not handled correctly.

On Wednesday, Bryant gave selectmen what they wanted — “reassurance.”

Bryant said one leak is so minor that it needs only to be monitored, yet Columbia Gas Co. plans on repairing it. The others were also described as minor.

Bryant explained that the presence of pungent odor can be attributed to the odor injected by the company. He said natural gas is naturally odorless, but companies inject it so it can be easily detected.

Gray Terrace resident Nancy Goulart said the odor was so strong that she had to close her garage doors so it would not enter her house. However, she disputed the notion that the company has not been responsive. She said within hours, a technician from Brockton was at her home investigating.

Bryant said there is another development that could enable the company to better assist residents. He said a new $2.5 million facility with 12 technicians and four work crews will come on line in Taunton on Friday. He said the closest office is in Brockton, which can lead to a delayed response.